Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) drw to srw without changing axle?

[KBurgoyne]

I have a 95' with a dana 80 drw and i want to convert it to a srw without changing the axle. any advice on the process, different wheels/ tires.

 

[charlessmith]

Plan "A": Take off the outside wheels/tires, and install a SRW bed. This will look funny, but you will have the same track as a SRW truck.



To convert to SRW type wheels is a really big deal.



Your front hubs have the hub, brake disk, and the DRW spacers all as one part. One big chunk of iron. So to convert the front will require new hubs, and new brake disks. At least. I don't know if the calipers will fit with the 2500 SRW hubs and brake disks. The calipers are definitely a different size as far as brake piston diameter.



To convert the rear requires a different axle whose brake drum surfaces, where the wheels mount, are narrower. If you use SRW wheels with a DRW axle the wheels and tires will stick out further on each side (like 1/2 a tire width). The SRW axle will be from a 2500 and the brake shoes are 2. 5" wide, where the 3500 brake shoes are 3. 5" wide.



Plan "A" above is really the easiest way to go.



Plan "B": Find somebody with a SRW 2500 who wants DRW and arrange to swap parts.

 

[KBurgoyne]

can the dually fenders be taken off?

 

[charlessmith]

Yeah, you can take them off, but then you have a mess ... sort of.

The fuel filler neck comes through the fender at a different place on a DRW than on a SRW bed. So that leaves an extra 5" hole in the SRW fender.

Plus, there are bolt holes all around where the edge of the dually fenders attach to the bed. And I think I've read that the DRW bed has the bottom edge of the inner (SRW) fenders trimmed over the wheel area.

Altogether, if your DRW bed is in good shape, I'd sell it and buy a SRW bed. Or, if you just pulled the outer rear wheels off, keep the DRW bed to put the duals back on when you sell the truck.